Gophers likely headed back to Texas Bowl
By Frank Bi
Dec 28, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Eric Stephens Jr. (24) rushes against the Minnesota Gophers during the first half of the Meineke Car Care Bowl at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Despite a morale-booster year for Gophers football and an overall better record from the year before, it’s looking more and more likely that the 8-4 Gophers are headed back to the same bowl game they played in last year, and possibly against the same opponent.
Several bowl projections have Minnesota playing the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Texas Bowl (formerly the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas) in Houston for the second consecutive year at Reliant Stadium on Dec. 27.
While the door hasn’t been shut on the Gophers to play in either the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day or the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Dec. 28 in Tempe, Ariz., the chances are looking slim days ahead of the bowl schedule announcement, which will be unveiled on Sunday.
"With a less desirable brand name in the eyes of bowl reps, the Gophers appear destined to be the last of the seven eligible Big Ten teams selected, thus resulting in Minnesota’ bowl site being picked by default."
If indeed the Gophers play Texas Tech again this year, it’ll be the third time in school history the two teams have faced each other in the post season. In 2006, the Red Raiders beat Minnesota in overtime in the Insight Bowl, and last year, the Gophers lost to Texas Tech on a last minute field goal.